Marine Surveyors - How to Choose

Buying a used yacht/boat is always a stressful process with offers and counter-offers, sea trials, lien checks, documentation and insurance. Once a potential boat is located, a marine survey is always recommended to make sure you are getting what you are paying for and there are no hidden surprises.

But anyone can hang his shingle out as a Marine Surveyor; there are no laws governing or restricting their operations. So how do you choose a surveyor to check out your "new" boat? Let me give you some pointers.

For starters, if you are dealing with a reputable Yacht Broker such as me, he will guide you through the process. I know several marine surveyors that I will recommend as I've had experience with them in the past and I know their capabilities. I will not choose one for you however, as I don't want any suggestion of a conflict of interest. The surveyor works for you!

There are several types of surveys but for you as a buyer, the Pre-Purchase Survey is the one you will want. It will be the most comprehensive type of inspection, and is usually requested by lenders and insurance companies when purchasing a used vessel. The yacht's condition and overall operation of the vessel will be thoroughly examined. The value of the yacht will also be estimated by the surveyor.

If your Yacht Broker gives you the names of surveyors, ask your Broker questions about the surveyor, then check them out yourself. Although not required, surveyors typically belong to one or more certification boards. SAMS, the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors is probably the one used most often in the US. SAMS provides training to surveyors and certifies them as to inspecting specific types of boats and yachts.

Step 1 - Go to the surveyor's website if he/she has one. Read what his/her qualifications are relative to your chosen vessel.

Step 2 - Contact the surveyor personally; ask him/her about his qualifications to survey your chosen boat; how many yachts like yours has he performed surveys upon? Can he provide customer references?

Step 3 - Ask him how he conducts his survey.

For example, how does he evaluate deck moisture readings, how does he evaluate bonding systems, how does he evaluate hull hydrolysis, will he climb the sailboat mast to inspect rigging if you are buying a sailboat, how does he evaluate engine mechanical health, oil sampling perhaps? Does he check the Hull ID to make sure the boat is not stolen; request that a rubbing be made to provide to the insurance carrier? Ask how long the survey will take and how much it will cost; how long it will take to get the final report. Will the report be handled electronically or by mail? Ask enough questions to get a good feeling that the person you are hiring to evaluate your boat is competent and has your best interest in mind.

Surveys provide good information on the vessels' condition, but they are not total guarantees as to the complete condition of the vessel. To perform such a survey would require disassembly of the boat and we know that's not practical. The surveyor reports the condition of accessible areas only as it exists at the time of inspection. by Mike Dickens

You Don't Have to Go Overboard to Buy a Boat - 2009 Miami Boat Show Highlights

When compared to the cost of family vacations and other recreational activities, boating can be quite affordable, as well as provide you with years of enjoyment - even when you factor in the cost of boat insurance and maintenance. This was one of the key messages for consumers at this year's International Boat Show and Strictly Sail, held over Valentine's Day weekend in Miami.

At the same time, the 21st annual Yacht and Brokerage Boat Show, a presentation of the world's most luxurious ships, was held down the street. Although only an elite few actually can afford such trophy pieces, these ships always provide boat show attendees with an amazing experience.

Here are some quick highlights from each of this year's Miami Beach boat shows:

68th Annual Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail

Every year, the popular Miami International Boat Show features a variety of powerboats, sailboats and other marine accessories, as well as the most recent innovations in engines, marine electronics, nautical gear, clothing and boating accessories. To help remind budget-conscious consumers that boating can be extremely affordable, this year's boat show featured a new "Affordability Pavilion" with a variety of boats and personal watercraft that you can purchase for under $300 per month, including:

• Yamaha VX Cruiser & VX Deluxe PWCs - For about $60 per month, you can glide across the water with two of your friends on these ultra-lightweight, three-seater, four-cylinder engine personal watercrafts. Top-rated in fuel economy by Personal WaterCraft Illustrated, these Yamahas feature plenty of storage capacity and the industry's first remote security system.
• Polar Kraft Bass Series TX175 Pro - Tested at the world's most competitive fishing events, this 175 hp powerboat is easy to maneuver, and easy on your wallet at about $125 per month.
• Carolina Skiff DLV 218 - For just over $200 per month, you can own one of the most durable, versatile and economical boats on the market. This 20-foot, 150 hp utility boat is a good jack-of-all-trades - from pulling skis, tubes and wakeboards to fishing and cruising.

This year's boat show had plenty for those seeking something unique, too. Perhaps two of the most unusual boats unveiled at the show were Albury Brother's Crawfish boat, a 20-foot version of the company's Bahamian commercial lobster fishing boat, and Sealeg's amphibious vehicle, featuring retractable wheels that allow the craft to operate on both water and land.

Miami's 21st Yacht and Brokerage Boat Show
For those seeking a bird's eye view of what life could be like as The Donald or another corporate big shot, a short shuttle cruise down Collins Avenue was all that was necessary. As the name suggests, the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Boat Show features the world's most extraordinary, multimillion dollar yachts and megayachts from premier custom builders, such as Ferretti and Azimut.

If you're undaunted by a (much) higher boat loan, some new ships worth checking out include:

• DSe Hybrid- As the first green yacht in the U.S., this hybrid from Island Pilot uses a combination of solar, diesel and electric to propel itself, and can cruise indefinitely at 5 knots without using any fuel. The bonus? Zero emissions.
• Mamba 350 - Considered one of the most unusual ships at the boat show, Mamba Marine's 350 is a hydrofoil-supported catamaran, perfect for sport fishermen. Its asymmetrical hulls provide unprecedented comfort and performance for a boat of its size and power.
• Morris M29 - If sailboats are your passion, this classic masterpiece unveiled by Morris Yachts is sure to capture your heart, as well as inspire plenty of envy. Constructed in collaboration with Sparkman & Stephens, this beauty features the latest in naval architecture and materials, and requires only a one-man crew. Trailerable and perfect for container shipping, this is one boat that's been designed to go wherever your heart desires - and look good while doing so.

Whether you buy a Sea-Doo or Lürssen mega yacht, you'll want to protect your investment. Nationwide can insure 95 percent of all pleasure boats, including bass boats, ski boats, performance boats and more. Plus, if you have another insurance policy with them, you may even qualify or a discount on your boat insurance. by Melanie Broemsen